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Check Your Health: Flu Season Is Upon Us, Meaning It's Time For A Shot

October 1, 2012
by Special To The ...

Check Your Health is a web-only feature being offered monthly by The Cheshire Herald. Each month, a professional from MidState Medical Center will offer advice on a different issue pertaining to health.

Flu Season Will Soon Be Upon Us – Being Proactive Trumps Being ReactiveAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no better way to protect against the flu than to get a yearly flu vaccination. It’s that simple.

Who Should Get the Flu Vaccine?It is recommended that all individuals over 6 months old be vaccinated yearly. The flu vaccine is especially important for higher-risk populations such as those over 65 years of age and pregnant women. Similarly, caregivers for the elderly or the ill should get vaccinated in the best interest of those they care for.

How Quickly After Getting the Vaccine am I Protected?Generally speaking, it takes about two weeks following vaccination for your body to develop the protective antibodies.

When Do I Get My Flu Vaccine?There is a reason why “Influenza Season” is not found on yearly calendars – specifically, because the season is somewhat unpredictable. Historically, flu vaccines have become available sometime between August and October. It is recommended that you get vaccinated as soon as the vaccine becomes available since it takes a few weeks before you are protected. To learn more about availability in your area, speak to your primary healthcare provider as soon as possible.

How Often Do I Need the Flu Vaccine?Getting vaccinated against influenza is a yearly occurrence. The reason you need to be vaccinated annually is because the influenza virus is constantly changing. This year’s flu vaccine has been specially formulated to accommodate those changes.

Is the Flu Vaccine a Guarantee I Will Not Get the Flu?The flu vaccine is not a guarantee against the flu; however, the benefits of getting vaccinated far outweigh the chance that the vaccine won’t be effective.

MidState Medical Group is committed to helping you achieve great health and committed to helping you remain in great health. An annual flu vaccine should be a routine part of your proactive and preventative wellness plan. Call us today to learn more about the flu vaccine - just one more way to keep you healthy through the holidays!